KATERRA TO PRESENT AT TIMBER OFFSITE CONFERENCE

A PRESENTATION FROM US BASED TRAILBLAZER KATERRA WILL BE A KEY DRAWCARD IN THE LINEUP AT THE TIMBER OFFSITE CONFERENCE IN MELBOURNE THIS JUNE.

Katerra has captured the construction industry’s imagination by harnessing Silicon Valley technology to disrupt traditional approaches to design and construction.

Katerra Architecture President Craig Curtis will be presenting via video at the conference on Monday 15 June in Melbourne.

Curtis has described Katerra as “a new kind of company in the building industry, delivering end-to-end integration with significant investment in technological and design innovation.”

His talk will demonstrate Katerra’s work to date in redefining construction, injecting innovation and efficiency across all its processes and building products, from conceptual design to engineering, supply chain, offsite manufacturing and final assembly on site.

Katerra’s building design is supported by a research and development program with specialist strategic partners including Michael Green Architecture, Equilibrium Consulting, Washington State University and other global specialists.

The company has now developed a range of standard building designs and floor plans for mid-rise residential, commercial and industrial buildings, and a unique feature of Curtis’ role as head of Katerra Architecture is to instil a “mass customisation” approach to design, ensuring buildings maintain design distinctiveness through the use of a catalogue of unique products manufactured to specification.

Katerra building design model

The Katerra prefabrication plant has been heavily influenced by automotive manufacturing processes using an assembly line approach.

Taking place 15 to 16 June at Crown Promenade in Melbourne, the conference’s sessions will present updates on global developments and technology initiatives across four topic themes:

Building Design Influences

Construction Productivity

Manufacturing & Technology

Building Projects in Wood.

Event organiser Frame Australia confirmed it was hoped the conference’s 2020 edition would draw more than 300 delegates from industry sectors including building design, building construction, timber and engineered wood, prefabricated manufacturing, and building materials supply.

A new feature for 2020 is delegate registration for half-day topic themes, which will enable delegates with limited time to attend specific interest sessions at a lower cost. Meanwhile the exhibition booth display area will offer suppliers access to expanding construction markets, and an opportunity for networking and establishing business contacts.